Ph.D., Duke University
Associate Professor
Department of Neuroscience
364 Sidney Frank Hall of Life Sciences
Tel: (401) 863-2630
Email: Robert_Patrick@Brown.edu
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Our research is aimed at elucidating how alterations in neurotransmitter activity in the central nervous system influence behavior. We are especially interested in determining how chronic administration of a psychoactive drug, such as amphetamine, alters brain functioning from both a behavioral and transmitter point of view. In order to analyze the relationship between transmitter release and animal behavior, we use a microdialysis procedure that enables us to carry out concurrent measurements of transmitter release from the rat brain while monitoring animal behavior. In vivo release studies are complemented by in vitro studies of nerve ending (synaptosome) preparations isolated from discrete brain areas in order to study drug effects on transmitter synthesis, release and uptake. Our hope is that these combined in vivo and in vitro studies will help elucidate the mechanisms via which chronic psychoactive drug administration alters the sensitivity of the brain to subsequent psychoactive drug exposure.

Patrick, R.L. (2000) Synaptic clefts are made to be crossed: Neurotransmitter signaling in the central nervous system. Toxicologic Pathology, 28: 31-36.

Sanudo-Pena, M.C., Patrick, S.L., Khen, S., Patrick, R.L., Tsou, K. and Walker, J.M. (1998) Cannabinoid effects in basal ganglia in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Neuroscience Letters, 248: 171-174.

Patrick, S.L., Thompson, T.L., Walker, J.M. and Patrick, R.L. (1991) Concomitant sensitization of amphetamine-induced behavioral stimulation and in vivo dopamine release from rat caudate nucleus. Brain Research, 528: 343-346.

Thompson, T.L., Colby, K.A. and Patrick, R.L. (1990) Activation of striatal tyrosine hydroxylase by in vivo electrical stimulation: Comparison with cyclic AMP-mediated activation. Neurochemical Research, 15: 1159-1166.